Question

Can anyone please explain to me the concept of "latent heat of steam" with an example?

Answer 1

Latent hear is hidden heat. This is the amount of heat required to convert a solid to a liquid or a liquid to the vapor state. This is also the amount of heat liberated when a vapor condenses to the liquid state or a liquid solidifies. A simple example is the instant heating of expresso coffee in the vending machines when steam is bubbled thru coffee. The steam gives the latent heat to the coffee and instantly heats coffee

Answer 2

It is called latent because when you have a pot of water, and you stick a thermometer into it and start heating it, the temp will keep rising. Then at 100C, it will not rise any more. You are still heating it, why does the temp not rise? This is because the energy (heat) is going to converting the water into steam. The temp will be constant till ALL the water has vaporized. So in those days, people wondered where the heat was going? It was latent (hidden), i.e not affecting the temp.